The Seven Churches

The Seven Churches

Revelation, Part 3, Revelation 2:1-3:21

Introduction

- I want to cover all seven churches today … why? Why preach all of this?

- IMP: It’s too important to break this up and have folks miss it …

- Over-arching theme: 2 Tim 4:2 says “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”

-- We ought to be able to give an answer …

-- We must be able to give hope to the future and why we believe …

- Letters to the churches: It is God's report card of where they (we) are!

- This is the most important chapters because it talks TO the church

-- Chap 2 and 3 are words for right now and things to be on the lookout for

-- IMP: We must avoid the pitfalls of where the Lord is not pleased with us

- I want you to note the lamp stands: this is a bearer of light, not the source

-- It is a platform for light to be placed on; the source of the light is Jesus

- Pray

Ω Point 1 - Church of Ephesus

Read Chapter 2:1-7

- They work hard; they tested false apostles (prophets)

- They have endured hardships in Jesus name; they have not grown weary

- This church has stood up to conflict and has been faithful to Christ

- Sounds like a solid church? Watch the complaint God has against them

- They have forgotten their first love!! (They have forgotten God!)

-- Ephesus means “darling or maiden of choice” – it’s an affectionate term

-- Joel 2:12-13 says “"Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.”

- APP: They need to see how far they have fallen

-- They are told to repent and return to worshipping God … otherwise; the church will be destroyed (by removing the lamp stand that represents them)

- Hate practices – Love people … church doctrine

-- You can not approve of how someone lives, but still love them fully

-- Connecting people to Jesus and each other is our motto: love the sinner

- Read verse 7 again:

-- Reward awaits (to eat from the tree of life)

-- APP: Those that stay the course, can expect to eat from this tree forever

Ω Point 2 - Church of Smyrna

Read Chapter 2: 8-11

- Smyrna’s root word “Smurna” which in Hebrew translates to “myrrh”

-- Myrrh was given as a present as a symbol of suffering, or death (Magi)

-- Gold meant royalty & frankincense was deity; but myrrh means suffering

-- At the second coming, you will note that myrrh is not presented to Jesus

- There are slanderers among them, but Jesus knows who they are

-- They claim to be faithful to God’s law (and the Jews) but are not

-- These are part of the synagogue of Satan; father of lies; the great deceiver

-- John 8:44 says, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

- Those that are part of this church are slandering liars against Jews

-- Must understood this: very early in church history we became anti-Semitic

-- We lost our Jewish roots as established in the Old Testament

-- IMP: Those that would oppose the Jews today are part of this church

- It is time to STOP saying we love Israel, but ignoring our Jewish neighbors -- BIG APP: This is what the church of Smyrna is guilty of!

- There is encouragement for this church more than condemnation

-- Verse 11 again: a reward waits (the second death will not come to you)

Ω - Be faithful unto death, and they will receive a crown: Crown is a reward

-- There are 5 crowns discussed in the Bible as reward (not salvation)

1. Crown of Life (those who suffered for His sake) – James 1:12

2. Crown of Righteousness (those who loved His appearing) – 2 Tim 4:8

3. Crown of Glory (those who fed the lambs, sheep, or flock) – 1 Peter 5:4

4. Crown Incorruptible (those who press on steadfast) – 1 Corinthians 9:25

5. Crown of Rejoicing (those who win souls) – 1 Thess 2:19

- Which crown will you get? Those are the only crowns available!!